Israeli commanders operating inside Lebanon are warning that Hezbollah is actively collecting intelligence on their forces, while restrictions prevent them from responding, according to reports. The warning echoes growing frustration among troops over what they describe as constrained rules of engagement.
Field commanders operating inside southern Lebanon are warning that Hezbollah is systematically collecting intelligence on Israeli forces in the area, while current restrictions prevent them from taking countermeasures, according to an unverified report published Tuesday morning. The warning, which adds a new dimension to ongoing frustration over rules of engagement, follows a thread of reports beginning late Monday evening (Jun 22, 17:16 Jerusalem) when commentator Hillel Bitton Rosen first claimed troops were ordered not to fire without an immediate threat. The New York Times subsequently confirmed those limits, adding that demolitions of houses and infrastructure require senior authorization.
Earlier reports had set the stage: On Monday Jun 22 at 17:16 Jerusalem, The Zioneer first reported Bitton Rosen's claim that troops were ordered not to fire without immediate danger. Within the same hour, the Times confirmed the restrictions, citing two Israeli officials, and detailed that any strike beyond immediate threats requires the chief of staff's direct approval. The thread also includes soldiers' own accounts — on Wednesday Jun 17 at 23:44 Jerusalem, troops likened their situation to being 'like ducks,' feeling exposed without authorization to respond. Former PM Naftali Bennett weighed in Sunday Jun 21 at 19:18 Jerusalem, saying his phone was 'exploding' over the 'unimaginable reality' of troops sent 'with their hands tied.' The Lebanese army itself acknowledged Israeli aerial surveillance over southern border areas on Monday Jun 15 at 14:24 Jerusalem, warning residents to slow their return.
As The Zioneer reported on June 15, the Lebanese army called on residents to slow their return to border villages due to Israeli overflights. On June 17, soldiers described feeling exposed. On June 21, Bennett criticized the political echelon. The thread shows a progression from anonymous social-media claims (Bitton Rosen, Jun 22) to multiple on-sourced confirmation (NYT, citing officials, same timestamp), and now to this latest tactical warning from field commanders about specific Hezbollah intelligence-gathering.
It remains unclear whether the latest warning from commanders is based on specific intelligence-gathering incidents or reflects a broader assessment of Hezbollah activity. The IDF has not commented on the report. The claim is unverified, and no independent confirmation has been published.
5 developments
- DevelopingHezbollah commander renews warning: Israel will not remain in Lebanon, group will respond to any violation
- DevelopingIsraeli operations continue in Lebanon; official warns Hezbollah misstep could trigger broader conflict
- DevelopingAnalyst urges political echelon to escalate Lebanon response, warns Hamas is watching
- DevelopingIsraeli official: Lebanese army chief 'cooperates with Hezbollah'
Source and signal
- Internal intake